The UK government remains “open” to the sale of Chelsea despite imposing asset-freezing sanctions on owner Roman Abramovich.
The Treasury would have to approve a new licence for Chelsea’s sale, but Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich would not be allowed to profit.
Abramovich has owned Chelsea since 2003 but put the club up for sale on March 2 in the wake of Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
The UK government sanctioned Abramovich on Thursday amid ties to Vladimir Putin, that the Chelsea owner has always strongly denied.
A host of parties have signalled interest in buying Chelsea and Downing Street have now confirmed the Government could still oversee a sale.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “We are now talking to Chelsea Football Club and those conversations will continue. It would be part of those discussions the terms of any specific licence that’s granted to allow any sale to proceed.
“The important thing is under no circumstances would any sale allow Roman Abramovich to profit from that or take any money from that sale.
“It’s fair to say the Government is open to the sale of the club but currently it would require another licence and that would require further conversation with the Treasury and other departments.”
Chelsea will be subject to a transfer ban and be blocked from negotiating new contracts with current players, after all of Abramovich’s UK assets were frozen.
Defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are all out of contract at the end of the season, leaving the senior trio in a state of short-term limbo.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said on Twitter: “Our priority is to hold those who have enabled the Putin regime to account.
“Today’s sanctions obviously have a direct impact on Chelsea and its fans. We have been working hard to ensure the club & the national game are not unnecessarily harmed by these important sanctions.
“To ensure the club can continue to compete and operate we are issuing a special licence that will allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket holders to attend matches while, crucially, depriving Abramovich of benefiting from his ownership of the club.
“I know this brings some uncertainty, but the Government will work with the league and clubs to keep football being played while ensuring sanctions hit those intended. Football clubs are cultural assets and the bedrock of our communities. We’re committed to protecting them.”
Abramovich has changed the face of British football in his time as Chelsea owner, leading the Blues to 21 trophies in 19 years in a clean sweep of all global competitions.
But that era has been brought to a halt amid Putin and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Chelsea cannot sell any new tickets to supporters, but all tickets sold before March 10 will be honoured.
Season ticket holders can still attend matches unaffected, while refreshments can still be served at Stamford Bridge.
The sanctions are club-wide meaning all Chelsea teams, including Emma Hayes’ highly-successful women’s team, are affected.
Chelsea matches can still be broadcast, while only existing club merchandise can be sold.
British billionaire Nick Candy was the latest high-profile business magnate to throw their hat into the ring for Chelsea’s sale, amid a host of suitors for the Champions League holders.
Swiss tycoon Hansjorg Wyss and American investor Todd Boehly were also in the running, with more than 10 credible parties understood to have been compiling bids.
The Chelsea squad will continue to prepare for Thursday’s Premier League clash at Norwich as normal, but everyone at the club will now set about examining the details of the current situation.
Chelsea’s shirt sponsor, telecommunications company Three, has placed the deal under review.
A company spokesperson said: “We are in discussions with Chelsea and reviewing our position.”
The three-year deal was announced in January 2020, with the company logos appearing on shirts from the start of last season.
